100 new jobs up for grabs at Yorkshire Wildlife Park as venue celebrates record breaking year

Darren Burke

100 new jobs are to be created at Doncaster's Yorkshire Wildlife Park after another record-breaking year.

The park attracted more than 750,000 visitors during 2016 and is now looking for 96 new staff as it expands its facilities and events programme through 2017.

Last year, the park, which is near Branton, spent £3m locally – bringing the total since opening to £12.5m.

The wildlife park employed 300 staff during the peak season in 2016.

A hilarious spoof film showcasing the jobs on social media with a Polar Bear character has been viewed by more than 300,000 online and the park has been deluged by inquiries.

“We are delighted to have attracted so many visitors – a total of 761,515 - during 2016 - another record year,” said YWP Director Cheryl Williams, who appears on the hit film hiring the 'Polar Bear.'

“We have a high calibre and dedicated workforce and it is great that our success means we can offer more jobs locally.

“Working here among so many beautiful animals and making sure visitors have a memorable time is a dream job and we are thrilled that so many people want to work with us.”

The new vacancies for 2017 run from accounts to seasonal work at the 100-acre site which has become the UK’s No. 1 walk through wildlife attraction.

Vacancies - full time, part-time and seasonal - are available across different departments including managerial roles, animal conservation, administrative as well as retail and catering staff in the Safari Village shopping area, cafes and dining suites.

Meanwhile, YWP’s CEO John Minion revealed park spending will only continue to grow in the community.

He said:” We are proud that the park’s growth puts millions into the local economy every year.

“Every year our spend in the community increases with £3m spent last year alone. We are grateful for the way the whole of the local area partners with us.